On the 16th of June 2008 I undertook a home visit to see Mrs. Janet Smith, a 35 year old who lives with her husband and children in a suburban home in the outer east suburbs of Melbourne. Janet was recently involved in a car accident four days ago, on June 12th. She was admitted to hospital with multiple abrasions covering her hands, legs and face. One of the abrasions on her right leg has become infected and she has developed cellulitis to the left leg. Janet was moved to Hospital in Home Care two days after admission at her request as her husband is finding it difficult to cope with the children and the housework.

On the 15th of June I engaged in a phone conversation with Janet who gave verbal permission for me to visit her on the 16th of June. During the phone conversation Janet seemed very stressed, she mentioned that her children are currently staying at her mothers house until she gets better. Janet was emotional about the recent events and begun to cry over the phone. I asked Janet about her pain, and she rated her pain score a ‘seven to nine out of ten.’ She explains that ‘the red area on my left leg feels very hot and is swollen and aching most of the time…the cuts often sting and it hurts when the dressing is change.’ I suggested and icepack to help with the swelling and pain. Currently for Janet’s pain she has been prescribed two paracetamol every four hours, which according to Janet ‘it doesn’t seem to help for very long.’ I asked if she had ever taken Panadeine, and suggested she take this every four to six hours, and an hour prior to my arrival to prevent pain when I change her dressing.

On the 16th of June I visited Janet at home to perform a nursing assessment and a pain assessment. Some of Janet’s requirements for her to stay at home were rest and elevate her left leg. I found her in bed with both legs elevated. She reports having pain in